ORIGIN OF NAME. 175 



Toso-nor, it is defined on the west by the course of 

 the Nomokhun-gol, which flows from its southern 

 foot, sweeps round the western end and enters the 

 Tsaidam plain, where it joins the Baian-gol.^ The 

 Burkhan Buddha is, therefore, a distinct range, more 

 particularly on the north, where it rises boldly from 

 the perfectly level plains of Tsaidam ; it has no very 

 conspicuous peaks, but extends in one unbroken 

 chain. 



The Mongol tradition regarding the origin of the 

 name ' Burkhan Buddha,' ^ dates several hundred 

 years back, when a certain gigen happened to be 

 returning to Mongolia from Tibet, and, after en- 

 countering all the horrors of the Tibetan deserts, 

 descended in safety to the warmer plains of Tsaidam ; 

 desirous of showing his gratitude to the Divine Being, 

 he named after Buddha himself that range which, 

 like a giant watchman, keeps guard over the adjacent 

 cold and sterile highlands. These mountains are 

 indeed a distinguishing physical feature of this region. 

 To the south of them the elevation is from 13,000 to 

 15,000 feet^ the whole way to the head waters of 



but is well wooded. Lake Toso-nor is narrow, but about forty miles, or 

 two days' journey, in length. The Baian-gol flows out of it. 



* The Nomokhun-gol flows from the Shuga mountains in a narrow 

 channel ; at its confluence with the Baian-gol the Mongols say there 

 are some old ruins, formerly occupied by Chinese troops. 



" This name means ' god Buddha.' [Since Burkhan is a word 

 commonly used by the Mongols as the synonym of ' Buddha,' it is 

 probable that the name as given by Hue is more correct, viz. Burkhan 

 Bota, which that traveller interprets as ' Buddha's Kitchen,' connecting 

 the name with the supposed mephitic gases which he speaks of there, 

 ii. 212. — Y.] 



' With the exception of the narrow gorge of Nomokhun-gol, which 

 intersects the plateau. 



